By Greta Nerad
Executive News Editor
Principal Dr. Ben Dale decided that the Homecoming Court is not allowed to perform its annual dance number at this year’s Homecoming pep rally, which will occur on Oct. 25 at Waller Stadium.
This decision came after years of the dance becoming increasingly suggestive and problematic, Dale said. According to Dale, last year’s Court showed him a dance the night before, then proceeded to do a different dance at the actual pep rally.
“That was the end of it for me,” Dale said. “I just think that we have to be very careful about crossing the line, and I felt like it had been going over the line too much.”
According to Dale, parents, teachers and Homecoming Court members have complained to him about the dance routine every year since he began working at Costa 10 years ago. After last year’s rally, Dale informed Associated Student Body Advisor Lisa Claypoole that he was putting a stop to it, he said.
“I am quite upset and disappointed that we are making so many drastic changes this year,” Claypoole said. “Costa is a school that has a tradition of excellence, so I’m always upset when things change.”
Homecoming Court member and senior Mary Clare Powell emailed Dale on Oct. 9 on behalf of the Court to address their desire to keep up the longstanding tradition. The Court recognized the history of inappropriate dances and promised to abide by any and all boundaries set by Dale, Powell said in her email.
In response to Powell, Dale suggested having the Homecoming Court attend dance or cheer practices so that the students can still be part of a dance, but one that is supervised by Costa coaches. As of yesterday afternoon, the Court is planning on coordinating a performance with the dance team.
“We wanted to do the dance because we honor the tradition, we feel that it is a great way for the court to bond and it is an overall entertaining experience for the school to get to see,” Powell said.
Dale is also opposed to the Homecoming video that the Court produces every year to be shown at the Homecoming football game. Although the court has already begun making the film, he has prohibited its public release. However, the Mustang Morning News Instagram account posted an announcement on Oct. 15 that the video is coming soon.
“We are working on a video that we hope is appropriate, funny and enjoyable for the Costa community, as we have for the past couple years,” Homecoming video director and senior Kaitlyn Sciarrino said. “Our only goal is to contribute to our school spirit through creating a video that brings together various parts of our school.”
About 12 students from the Broadcast Journalism and Cinematic Arts classes are working on the video alongside the Court. Dale has made cameos in many of the past Homecoming videos; however, this year he will not be not involved.
“The Homecoming video is a time-honored tradition that allows the Homecoming Court and Broadcast and Cinematic Arts students to come together to create something for our community to enjoy,” Sciarrino said.
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